2027: Atiku, PDP React Sharply to APC Governors’ Support for Tinubu’s Re-election Bid

Recent endorsements of President Bola Tinubu by governors and All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders have been rejected by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ahead of the 2027 elections, they were said to have labeled them as symptoms of desperation and panic. The opposition leaders are still optimistic that the ruling party would be defeated by their coalition.
Regardless of Tinubu’s support, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, stated his strong optimism that the alliance can contest and win the general elections in 2027.

Ibe said that the alliance is unfazed by political wrangling and compared its position to that of a student who has studied hard for an exam, according to Vanguard.

“You can sleep well the night before a test and wake up certain that you can pass if you’ve studied hard for it. That’s our coalition’s stance,” Ibe stated.

The Nigerian people, not the ruling party’s political maneuvers, will be the real judges of the 2027 election, he continued.

Ibe added, “This administration’s terrified mood is evident in the recent endorsements. Insurgents are regaining territory in Borno State and other areas, causing an unprecedented level of insecurity. Due to the exorbitant cost of living, families are finding it difficult to cover their basic expenses. But instead of addressing these pressing problems, the government has mostly concentrated on playing political games.

Along with accusing Tinubu’s administration of using anti-corruption agencies to pressure opposition politicians into joining the APC, he said that political pressure was the primary cause of many of these defections rather than ideological reasons.

“Ideology or preference for the APC are not the driving forces behind these defections,” Ibe claimed. They are forcing politicians to join the ruling party and holding them captive. Former governors and the current administration are targeting some for corruption, forcing them to pay a ransom that shows up as defections.

“Defectors are being pressured in Delta State and other places by means of the so-called ‘quiet bomb.'”

Read Also: Coalition Agenda Merely a Performance for Tinubu – APC’s Eta on El-Rufai

Crisis Denied, Endorsements Criticized by PDP
In his comments, PDP National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature also said that endorsements do not ensure election success.

He brought up the fact that former President Goodluck Jonathan lost the 2014 election even though he had the support of 21 governors.

According to Bature, Tinubu has 22 supporters. Don’t worry about anything. The only thing left to do is wait. Whether you have done the right thing for the country is the question, not whether you have been endorsed. Promotions are only for show. They are used when people realize they aren’t acting in the best interests of the people they purport to represent. A crisis does not exist. Simply put, members are voicing their opinions. Time will tell whether or not they declare their desire to leave the party. These problems will be resolved on their own.